Match-box.



UNITED STATES Patented June 13, 1905.

EDIVARD ANTONI, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MATCH-BOX- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,355, dated June 13, 1905.

Application filed April 4:, 1905- Serial No. 253,786.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD ANTONI, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, resid ing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match- Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in match and toothpick receptacles, and more particularly to a receptacle which can be conveniently carried in a small pocket or placed upon stands and the like or secured to a suitable base.

The invention has for its object the provision of novel means for retaining a plurality of matches or toothpicks in a compact and accessible form, and in this connection I have devised a novel form of receptacle which is made of light and durable metal and made of a size suitable for carrying it in small pockets. The receptacle is constructed whereby it can be easily and quickly filled with matches or toothpicks, and novel means is employed for preventing more than one match or toothpick being taken from the receptacle at one time.

The invention has for its still further object to provide novel means whereby the end of the receptacle may be adjusted for the purpose of conveniently placing therein matches or toothpicks of different lengths; further more, to provide suitable means for securely fastening the end of the receptacle.

The above construction, together with the details entering into my improved article, will be hereinafter more fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claim, and, referring to the drawings accompanying this application, like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved receptacle. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle. Fig. 4: is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a detachable gate or door of my improved receptacle. Fig. 6 is an end view of the receptacle, and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line m 00 of Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawings I have illus-. trated my improved receptacle or box, as it may be hereinafter termed, as consisting of a base or bottom 1, and upon the one end of the base or bottom I provide an end wall 2 and side walls 3 3 and a substantially semicylindrical top t. The top is provided with a longitudinally-disposed open slot 5, the object of which will be presently described. The opposite end of the base or bottom is provided with side walls 6 6 and a curved top 7, similar to the side walls 3 3 and the top t of the opposite end of the bottom 1. This construction provides an intermediate space 8 between the ends of the bottom or base 1, and this space is allowed to permit of the removal of matches 9, placed upon the base or bottom 1.

I provide one of the side walls 6 with apin or screw 10, which is adapted to engage in one of the vertically-disposed grooves 11, formed in the side wall of a door or gate 12. This door or gate is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings and in contour corresponds substantially to the shape of the side walls 6 6 and top 7, the gate or door being adapted to fit snugly within the end of the casing or box and be secured therein by the pin or screw 10 engaging in one of the grooves 11. The outer end of the gate or door 12 is provided with a suitable knob 14, whereby it can be easily manipulated when it is desired to remove the lid or door or place the same within the easing or box.

The matches 9 are placed Within the receptacle by removing the door or gate 12 and depositing the matches through the end of the receptacle until the same has been partially filled. The gate or door is then placed in position Within the receptacle, and when it is desired to remove the matches a match is gripped and moved upwardly until one end of the match passes through the open slot 5, at

which time it can be moved forwardly in the direction of the end 2 of the casing or box and then completely removed from the receptacle.

While I have herein described my improved IOO receptacle as applicable to matches and toothpicks, it is obvious that it may be readily used for retaining other articles in the stick form, and by enlarging the casing or box it can be readily used for a pencil or penholder retainer or a stake-holder.

It Will be observed that my improved receptacle practically comprises two hoods, having an intermediate space formed therebetween, and When forming my improved receptacle of metal I may make the receptacle in its entirety, With the exception of a slidable door, of a casting, or the same may be made of one piece when formed of pottery-Ware.

It Will be noted that various other changes may be made in the details of construction Without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A receptacle of the character described comprising a bottom, side Walls and tops carried at each end of said bottom, one of said tops having a slot, formed therein, a door slidably mounted in the one end of the receptacle, said door having a plurality of vertically-disposed grooves formed therein, a pin carried by one of said side Walls and adapted to engage in one of said grooves, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

EDWARD AN TONI.

Witnesses:

H. C. EVERT, E. E. POTTER. 

